Chapter 1745 - 1357: Nasur Fortress (Part 3)

His palms were slightly sweaty, and his breathing became a bit rapid.

After all, it was his first time truly commanding troops and his first deployment to the field of battle.

"It's normal to feel nervous."

Song Heping's voice came from the back seat.

He was focused on the tactical terminal, which displayed real-time images relayed by drones — red dots representing Barzani's vanguard, steadily advancing westward on Highway 80.

"Were you like this the first time you commanded troops?" Little Masoud asked.

"Everyone's the same."

Song Heping recalled the scene the first time he experienced an attack in Illiguo, shook his head in self-mockery, and smiled.

That roadside IED attack ruined the small business he and Old Demon had, leading him to the path of PMC.

"But remember, every decision you make now involves the life and death of these over four hundred people. So listen more, see more, think more, don't act rashly; the battlefield has no use for blind courage."

Little Masoud nodded solemnly.

The convoy sped through the night. The fields and villages on both sides of the road flashed by under the headlights; occasionally, you could see sporadic lights, but most houses were pitch-black as civilians had been notified to either enter shelters or evacuate to safer rear areas.

At 2:17 a.m., the convoy left the Main Street and turned onto a small mountain road.

The road surface became bumpy, forcing a slowdown in speed.

"Fifteen kilometers to Nasur Fortress," the driver reported.

Song Heping pulled up the satellite map and structural diagram of the fortress, beginning his final tactical maneuvering.

Nasur Fortress isn't an ancient castle but a mountain defense construction group built during the Osman Empire.

It sits approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Elbil, centrally along a north-south mountain ridge, perfectly guarding the last pass before Highway 80 enters the Elbil Plain.

The fortress's main body is composed of stone and concrete, divided into upper, middle, and lower tiers.

The upper level hosts observation posts and heavy firepower points, the middle level consists of barracks and ammunition depots, and the lower level contains underground passages and shelters.

The perimeter features barbed wire, land mines from Sadam's era, and anti-tank ditches.

Though aged and some constructions damaged, the overall structure remains sturdy, especially its geographic position.

The road here is forced to wind along the base of the mountain, forming a "Death Corridor" approximately 800 meters long with steep slopes on both sides.

"Major Faisal, upon arrival, deploy according to Plan C."

Song Heping started enacting deployments through the radio.

"Company A occupy the upper layer of the fortress and the west side's high ground, establishing observation posts and sniper positions. Company B is responsible for middle-tier defense and anti-armor fire points. Company C will be the reserve, concealed in the lower-tier passages, ready to counterattack or fill gaps. Engineer squad, I need you to set remote-controlled explosives and anti-tank mines at road bends and in the anti-tank ditches, but leave a retreat path."

"Understood!" Faisal's voice came through the radio.

The convoy halted at the mountain road's end.

Ahead, the silhouette of the dark mountains appeared exceptionally menacing under the starlit sky.

Solders from the "Storm" battalion quickly jumped out of vehicles in their squads, carrying heavy equipment, rushing along already scouted trails toward the fortress positions.

No lights, only the faint green glow of night vision devices and commands issued in hushed tones.

Song Heping and Little Masoud, safeguarded by the guard squad, entered a reinforced command post in the fortress's middle tier.

Originally an officer's lounge, it was now converted into a temporary command center.

Communications soldiers were setting up radios and antennas, while staff officers spread maps on the damaged wooden table, flashlight beams moving across the charts.

"Report! Company A has occupied the upper layer observation post, with excellent visibility, able to see the ten-kilometer stretch to the east road!"

"Company B's anti-tank missile positions are deployed, and all four launch points are camouflaged!"

"Engineer report, the first group of IED (Improvised Explosive Device) has been set at the road's turn, remote fuses tested successfully!"

Reports came one after another.

Song Heping checked his watch: 3:41 a.m.

Less than five hours until the estimated arrival of Barzani's vanguard.

"Have half the personnel seize the chance to rest, rotating guard duty," Song Heping ordered, "After dawn, there won't be time for shut-eye."

Little Masoud walked to a firing port, used a night vision telescope, and gazed east.

In the vast darkness, nothing was visible, but he knew, at the end of that blackness, a steel torrent of Barzani's vanguard battalion was approaching.